When Night Falls CD

“WHEN NIGHT FALLS Hard Bop Records 33009 ***** Steve Fishwick and Osian Roberts went to New York in 2007 Where they met up with saxophonist Frank Basile.  Their approaches and ideas blended and it was mooted that they should record together.  This eventually happened last year when thanks to Arts Council funding Basile came over to the UK for an eight date tour during which this excellent disc was produced.  Indeed the six musicians work and blend so well it sounds as if they have been a unit forever. A bright, boppy Apprehend the Fifth Dwarf, a contrafract to Get Happy, kicks thing off with imaginative, fully involved swinging solos from all; note Osian Roberts on tenor who also wrote the tune.  Lost Cave is a finely wrought ballad penned by Spanish pianist Albert Sanz who also has a commanding solo on Fishwick's Dear Old London Town.  Everybody meshes well on this rather intricate composition. When Night Falls is a minor opus played over a relaxed Latin beat.  Fishwick's lovely burnished tone on the flugelhorn and Frank Basile's strong contribution on baritone are the highlights here.  Some Other Brothers motors along in majestic fashion and points up the fact that Steve Fishwick must surely rank as one of our best trumpet exponents.  The rhythm section including Steve's brother Matt on drums is top class.  The CD was recorded at Derek Nash's Clowns Pocket studio, thus guaranteeing superb sound.  The five tunes cover most of the hard-bop bases in a most enjoyable manner.  Highly recommended.    ” - Brian Robinson— Jazz Journal

“Not to be confused with some crude branch of the martial arts, Hard Bop is a straight ahead yet polished jazz style personified by the early groups of drummer Art Blakey and pianist Horace Silver. Britain's leading exponents include Welsh tenorist Osian Roberts and the Fishwick twins, trumpeter Steve and drummer Matt, whose group tours the UK this month. Featured with them on this high quality album are Spanish pianist Albert Sanz and New York baritone saxman Frank Basile. Sanz's expressive keyboard touch reflects Cedar Walton and other modern masters, whilst Basile's angular lines recall the late Pepper Adams.  Steve's trumpet gives the ensembles brassy authority and robert's warmth and fluency evokes a young Tubby Hayes.  four out of a possible five stars.” - Jack Masserick

— When Night Falls CD of the week in the Evening Standard ****

Hard Bop Records HBR 33009 * * * * Steve Fishwick (t, flh); Osian Roberts (ts); Frank Basile (bar s); Albert Sanz (p); Dave Whitford (b); Matt Fishwick (d).  Rec: July 2013   This is the fourth Fishwick-Roberts album on Hard Bop, the previous one having featured Cedar Walton and Peter Washington.  “When Night Falls” is a major step forward and they’ve enlisted a third hornman whom they met up - and played - with in NYC named Frank Basile, who fits in with them like a glove.  A hard-hitter, the facile Frank is obviously a Pepper Adams admirer, while Osian, whose style and sound still recalls the earlier, possibly most feelingful period of Sonny Rollins, is sounding more like his own man.  Steve Fishwick’s solos here – mostly in the upper register – are beautifully played and always excitingly harmonically edgy.  He deserves much wider recognition, too as a composer (two tunes, “Dear Old London Town”, which gets a wonderful groove going and shows Basile at his most melodic and the enthralling title tune, are his) and his arrangement of the haunting “Lost Cave” is another highspot.  “Cave” is composed by the group’s new pianist, Albert Sanz from Spain, who adds yet more modernity to the CD.  Roberts wrote the two up-tempo tracks, with the closing “Some Other Brothers” bringing out everyone’s blues best.  Steve’s twin, Matt is excellent in support, as is Dave Whitford, whose solos are inventive and consistently soulful.  As long as these guys are around, British Bop Lives OK!” - Tony Hall— Jazzwise